We walked through the jungle amidst dense plants, undergrowth, and swarms of insects. Although it was mainly the professors who cleared the path with spells, progress was still difficult; the jungle seemed determined to remind us that we were intruders in its territory.
Despite the effort, I found it to be a fun field trip. It wasn't the first time I had explored these places—I had sent clones to snoop on more than one occasion during my days at Castelobruxo—but it was the first time I did it accompanied. Talking with Hannah while walking made it much more bearable, and even chatting with Neville and Malena added a certain lightness to the journey. However, there was something in the air... or perhaps in me. A strange feeling, as if something was about to happen. It wasn't fear, but rather an insistent premonition that made my skin crawl.
On our way, we encountered a body of water: a narrow, shallow stream, so thin that we could cross it on foot without getting wet beyond our ankles. We followed its course for a straight stretch until it flowed into a much larger river.
Unlike the first, this one commanded respect. The current roared with excessive force, capable of ruthlessly dragging anyone away. Even for good swimmers, venturing into it would be a possibly fatal mistake.
"Strange... the current of this river is extremely strong today," commented the Care of Magical Creatures professor, leaning toward the bank.
He was right. One look was enough to understand: a furious torrent, with rapids that seemed eager to swallow anyone who got too close. The professor spent a long time investigating, surprised as if it were the first time he had seen the river behave this way. He soon joined the other teachers, discussing in low voices.
Worry spread: the magizoologist feared the altered behavior of creatures, while the Herbology professors thought about possible floods and the effects on the flora we were going to work with. Each carried their own academic fears, although in the end, they chose to treat it as an isolated phenomenon, nothing more than an additional obstacle on the trip.
We resumed our march, skirting the river. The roar of the water, mixed with the chorus of birds, insects, and the crunch of leaves under our feet, was as deafening as it was hypnotic. And yet, my feeling intensified. It wasn't a common déjà vu, but something different: as if I was about to experience what I already felt was inevitable, as if the wind itself was pushing me forward.
The path was far from safe. Professors and guardians cast spells from time to time to clear snakes, scare away jaguars, ward off giant insects, or contain magical creatures that crossed our path. It was astonishing to think of everything required just to get to a simple Herbology class. Perhaps therein lay its charm: in the savage, in the unpredictable.
Hannah, beside me, radiated enthusiasm. Herbology was her passion, and ever since she arrived at Castelobruxo, she hadn't stopped showing it. Although it was tough at the beginning, she now engaged with true fervor. She constantly pointed out plants to me, describing their uses, comparing magical and non-magical species with a sparkle in her eyes. Every discovery filled her with excitement, and seeing her so vibrant in that environment made it impossible for me not to smile.
After a long journey, during which more than one exhausted student had to be urged to continue, we reached a clearing on the riverbank. There we paused: it was our last stop before crossing. The professors decided it wouldn't be prudent to attempt it without first regaining energy.
We were granted between fifteen and thirty minutes to rest and eat whatever we had brought. The trip had been fascinating, but also exhausting, especially for those who weren't in good physical shape. While the students settled on the ground or against their backpacks, one of the Herbology professors Apparated across the river, determined to closely inspect how the plants had been affected by that anomalous current.
I cleared the ground of insects with my aura and then sat on the grass next to Hannah, offering her some food and drink. The poor thing had been so absorbed in the events of Valentine's Day that she had completely forgotten to prepare provisions for the trip. Fortunately, I always carry what I need... and if not, it's just a quick trip back to the [Fief] to get it.
Malena and Neville soon joined us, settling down beside us. Yes, things still had some tension, but our small group remained firm. Neville was quiet at first, although after a little insistence, I managed to draw him into conversation... perhaps helped by a discreet nudge from [Calm], who knows. The point is, it worked: Malena gave me a knowing thumbs-up when I encouraged the boy with a few words in her favor. We were true partners in crime. Even Hannah ended up joining the dynamic with a couple of jokes, and soon the four of us were laughing, sharing food and drink as if nothing weighed upon us.
It wasn't long before we attracted more company. Some dorm mates approached, tempted by the lively atmosphere. We had never had an especially close relationship with them, but not a bad one either; so we laughed together without a problem.
A couple of older students also approached when they saw us, acquaintances of Malena's. Among them was a guy who wouldn't stop "hitting on her." Malena, however, showed sharp indifference, even sticking closer to Neville. And that's where she seized the opportunity: she leaned toward him and, with a pleading whisper, asked him to help her get rid of the pest by pretending to be her "fake boyfriend," just as she had done with him the day before.
The move was perfect: she hunched over slightly, with that look of a "defenseless girl" asking for protection against her stalker. Neville, true to his kind nature and still convinced that yesterday's event had been mere courtesy and not clear manipulation on her part, couldn't resist her advances; he felt he owed her.
Inside, Malena was ecstatic. She didn't like the guy trying to court her at all; she had already chosen who to dedicate all her attention and affection to. But on the other hand, she was grateful: he was giving her another excuse to get closer to Neville. So much so that she mentally promised herself to send him a cake the next day if everything went well.
At a certain point, shortly after finishing their meal, Hannah and a couple of classmates got up and whispered something to Malena, who immediately joined them. Together they headed deeper into the jungle, staying close to the river so as not to get lost. I assumed nature called. This trip had a thousand charms, but going to the bathroom in the middle of the jungle was not exactly comfortable. It was safest to do it in a group... who knows what could happen in there.
I inevitably thought that they were girls and didn't have the advantage of peeing standing up easily. What if a poisonous snake bit them in such a... delicate place? The only way to save Hannah would be to suck out the venom...
I shook my head abruptly, forcing those images out. Too much time reading strange stories. Yes, it was an erotic scenario, but the reality was different: I had antidotes, healing magic, and at least a dozen people there who could solve it. Especially the professors in these particular subjects. And yet, I couldn't help but fantasize about what excuse I would use to do it.
I was lost in those thoughts until I felt it. Again. Something was wrong. The air was charged with magic, but it wasn't natural. I recognized the arcane texture instantly.
"An Anti-Apparition field!" I roared inside my head.
I stood up abruptly, looking toward the jungle. An instant later, a vibration ran through the ground, and a distant explosion reached my ears, so faint that the others confused it with typical jungle sounds. I knew the truth: there was a fight not far away. And that Anti-Apparition field was only grazing us, weak but functional.
My eyes searched for Hannah. Luckily, she and the others were returning along the bank, still laughing. But the smiles instantly died.
The first sign was the Herbology professor, who tried to Apparate from the other side of the river. The field distorted the spell, and she ended up splinched, screaming in pain. We barely had time to react when the jungle spat out a stampede of frantic creatures. Behind them, a couple of unknown wizards emerged, surprised to see us... and in a heartbeat, they were attacking us.
I acted on instinct: a swift spell left my wand, taking down two of them before they could harm anyone.
But the situation was far from improving. More figures emerged from the undergrowth, joining the attack. The students panicked as soon as they saw the first flashes of curses. Added to that were the tremors under our feet and the flashes of explosions in the distance, proof that another battle was raging deep in the jungle.
Everything descended into chaos. The two remaining professors and the older students, mainly the seventh years, jumped forward to contain the unknown attackers. The atmosphere was sheer disorder, screams, flashes of light, and pounding sounds that shook the ground; but luckily, there were those who kept their composure and raised their wands firmly. Several students, both older and some younger, responded without hesitation. Although the enemies seemed powerful, they were few compared to us, making it difficult for them to break through.
In a matter of seconds, flames and explosions illuminated the riverbank. Then I saw it: a wizard used Apparition, immediately confirming they were the ones maintaining the Anti-Apparition field. He appeared dangerously close to Neville, wand ready to attack him, but at that moment, Malena arrived and stepped in front of him. She attacked with such ferocity that the wizard retreated. She looked like a knight charging to save her prince: Malena's skill in combat was astonishing, and until that moment, she had kept such an ability hidden. She planted herself in front of Neville, facing the enemy in a direct duel, with an indomitable fury and a fierce determination to protect him with her life.
Neville stared at her, paralyzed for a few seconds, as if he couldn't believe it, until he finally gathered his courage. He gripped his wand and joined her, casting spells alongside Malena against the wizard who was already staggering under the savage girl's pressure.
For my part, my eyes desperately scanned the place where Hannah should be. My chest tightened when I realized she wasn't with her companions: they watched, frightened, from the bank, unable to react, some watching the battle and others the river.
It was then I saw her: Hannah was being swept away by the current. Perhaps she had fallen into the water in the commotion, and now the raging river was devouring her without difficulty. Terror froze me for an instant, but I reacted immediately.
Without thinking, I ran to the bank and dove into the water, forgetting everything else. The current was brutal, almost inhuman, but I advanced with all my strength and magic, fighting against it until I reached her. When I finally took her in my arms, I wrapped her in a firm embrace and raised a protective field around us both.